Restoration of Blood Pressure by Renin Activator After Hemorrhage. †

Abstract

Conclusions

Injection of a renin-activator preparation of ox-plasma restored the blood pressure of dogs after hemorrhage. This restoration was observed with quantities of the preparation containing only one-tenth or less of the total plasma protein removed.

Corresponding quantities of 10% gelatin or of control plasma concentrations failed to restore the blood pressure.

From these observations it is concluded that the secretion of renin in severe hemorrhage (and perhaps in other forms of shock) is sufficient to produce exhaustion of renin activator. The resulting failure of the renopressor system is followed by a fatal collapse of blood pressure. This collapse may be staved off and the blood pressure restored by replacing the exhausted activator by a suitable preparation of ox plasma.

These investigations suggest the possibility of improving the transfusion therapy of hemorrhage and shock by fortifying the plasma with suitable preparations of renin-activator, or possibly by substituting relatively small quantities of activator preparations for plasma in emergency treatment. Work in this direction is in progress.